Some MH370 Family Members Frustrated

The missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 is generating a lot of speculation as to what may have happened. As over twenty-four hours have passed since the flight was reported missing, there is also growing frustration from some of the family members of the passengers on board.

Families have been told to “expect the worst”.

There were two Canadians aboard Flight MH370. The two Canadians listed as passengers are former Montreal residents Muktesh Mukherjee, and his wife Xiaomo Bai.

There is growing concern over the issue of passengers onboard Flight MH370 who were traveling on apparent stolen passports.

There is also growing issues with the aircraft, which in an earlier incident had a 1.3 metre section of its wing damaged.

However Malaysia Airlines states that the aircraft was repaired by Boeing, and the repair was certified by air safety authorities.

There is also information coming forward that Flight MH370 may have been turning back to the airport, changing course from its flight plan. This reported was before the aircraft disappeard from radar screens.

This information is generating escalation in the mystery surrounding the fate of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370,  and the fate of 239 people aboard.

Officials have stated they were widening the search to cover vast swathes of sea around Malaysia and off Vietnam, and were investigating at least two passengers who may have been using false identity documents.

Latest from Malaysia Airlines

The latest from Malaysia Airlines is a statement from the company CEO, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya.

“Together with all those affected by the MH370 incident, we understand the need to provide regular updates on the progress of the search and rescue operations.

“As the hours turn into days, we at Malaysia Airlines are similarly anxious and we appreciate the patience, support and prayers from everyone.

“We however acknowledge that the most affected group in this incident is the families of those on-board. As such, our primary focus at this point in time is to care for the families. This means providing them with timely information, travel facilities, accommodation, meals and emotional support. Initial financial assistance has been given out to all families. Caregivers are already assigned to each family and they are trained staff and volunteers from Malaysia and Australia.

“Family members of the MH370 passengers from Beijing who wish to travel will be flown in stages to Kuala Lumpur on the available flights. We are also communicating with the families from other nations to similarly arrange for their travel to Kuala Lumpur.

“In the event flight MH370 is located, a Response Control Centre (RCC) in the area will be activated to support the needs of families.

“The airline continues to work with the authorities and we appreciate the help we are receiving from all parties during this critical and difficult time”.

Authorities are ruling nothing out in the ongoing investigation. There is the possibility of terrorism or a hi-jacking being considered.

Search efforts including vessels from the Vietnamese navy are involved. Admiral Ngo Van Phat stated, “Our two rescue boats have approached the two oil spills but we haven’t found any sign of the Malaysian plane yet. Other boats are ready to go to support if needed.”

Concerns that the incident could be related to two passengers who were apparently onboard the aircraft and were traveling with stolen passports have been expanded.

Chinese state media are now reporting that a Chinese person whose passport number is among those listed for passengers aboard the missing flight did not in fact board the plane. The Xinhua news agency in China is stating that the individual, a resident of Fujian province in eastern China, has no departure record and is still in Fujian.

“Although the passport number is the same, the name listed by Malaysia Airlines for the passenger is, it says, adding the owner says he has never lost his passport,” according to Xinhua.

American Officials on the Way to Asia

American authorities along with officials from Boeing, are enroute to the scene. Those authorities include investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as well as the Federal Aviation Administration.

More than 24 hours after the lost of contact with Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, the search and rescue teams are still unable to detect the whereabouts of the missing aircraft.

The airline is doing its utmost to provide support to the affected family members, this includes immediate financial aid.

The airline has deployed a team of 94 caregivers consisting of well-trained staff and also Tzu Chi Foundation members to provide emotional support to the families. The airline will also be deploying another set of caregivers to Beijing later today.

Last night, a Malaysia Airlines’ Senior Management team arrived at Beijing to address the media and met with family members. Families of affected passengers in Kuala Lumpur were also met by the team.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines will set up a command center at Kota Bharu, Malaysia or Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam as soon as the location of the aircraft is established and the airline will make the necessary arrangements.

The airline is continuously working with the authorities in providing assistance. In fearing for the worst, a disaster recovery management specialist from Atlanta, USA will be assisting Malaysia Airlines in this crucial time.

我们与MH370航班失去联系已经超过24个小时，搜救团队目前仍然没有失联航班的行踪。

航空公司正在尽全力为MH370失联航班的乘客以及乘务员家属提供援助。航空已经安排一支由94名成员组成的专业团队为他们提供情感方面的援助。

航空公司高层管理团队已经于昨天晚上抵达北京接见媒体与失联航班乘客家属，他们也曾于昨天在吉隆坡接见其它失联航班家属。

同时，航空公司已经在马来西亚哥打京那巴鲁市和越南胡志明市建立管理指挥中心。一旦失联航班位置被确定，指挥中心立即做开展相关援助，支持工作。

航空公司将继续与正在搜救的有关部门密切合作，并提供相关支持。为做各个方面的准备，一只来自美国亚特兰大的心理恢复专家团队也会在此次航班失联事件中帮助马航，提供对应的帮助。